Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Planning Legislation.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

414 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the date of direction, if any, made since 1 January 1994 pursuant to section 31(1)(a) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963; the name of the local authority; the steps, if any, taken by the local authority to comply with the direction; and the result of the enforcement actions. [7838/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Section 31(1)(a) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, allows the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to direct a planning authority to take enforcement action against unauthorised development. This power has never been used as successive Ministers have considered that enforcement of planning law is more appropriately a matter for local planning authorities.